7 minute read

How to create an attractive and

GARDEN DESIGN TRANSFORM YOUR OUTSIDE SPACE

Lifestyle expert at Contura provides a guide on how to create an attractive and peaceful Scandi-styled garden, patio or balcony retreat for a soothing break from the indoors

One of life’s simplest pleasures is enjoying time outdoors, so if you’re lucky enough to have an outside space, why not consider creating a secluded Scandi-style retreat? You can use the space for al fresco dining, as a tranquil reading nook, somewhere to enjoy time with family, or to enjoy an evening tipple at sunset.

With a few Scandi design touches, even the smallest outdoor space can be transformed. Whether you have a patio, balcony or garden, there are several easy ways to create a stylish space on a budget.

From updating the garden shed or creating a small seating area, to adding potted plants or utilising a corner of the garden, here, lifestyle expert at Contura, Catharina Björkman, gives her simple Scandi design tips for transforming your outside space.

“In Sweden, we spend a lot of time outdoors, says Catharina. “Especially in summer, when daylight hours are longer, and evenings are warmer. There are numerous benefits to being out in the fresh air, and by creating a secluded outside retreat you can immerse yourself in nature whilst still enjoying the comfort of your own private space.

“Treat your secluded spot as a digital-free zone and as somewhere to relax and de-stress away from gadgets and screens; this is crucial to boost happiness and wellbeing. For the design, look to Scandi interior inspiration and embrace the principles of lagom for a sense of balance. Think minimalist furniture, plants, faux-fur throws, bunting and soft lighting.”

Read on for Catharina’s full tips.

Choose your spot

Ideally, choose an area that catches the sun for the best light. Next, clearly define the space using the seating, flooring or large pots, as this will give the area structure and a definite ‘extra room’ feel. If you are

using a wall or garden fence, you could add artwork (metal or stone is best to withstand the elements) to further enhance the feeling of an extra room. Don’t forget to add some form of shade for hot days; a canvas awning or sail shade are inexpensive, yet stylish options.

Patio or paved area

If your garden is paved or has a patio, consider creating a cosy nook in a sunny corner. Wooden crates or pallets are an affordable way to create a seating area. Add plenty of Scandi cushions, throws and candle holders for evening lighting to create the right ambience. Pot plants will add greenery and instantly transform a paved area. And why not add a hammock to a corner as a fun place to enjoy some evening reading?

Transform the shed

The humble garden shed can be easily updated to create a Scandi retreat, but this does mean you can’t use the shed for storage. Firstly, deep clean the shed to get rid of any dust and cobwebs, and clean the windows, inside and out. Paint the walls bright white, hang bunting and fairy lights, and add seating (bean bags or garden chairs) together with cosy throws or cushions. The garden shed will become a place you never want to leave.

Upcycling furniture

You don’t need to spend a fortune on outdoor furniture. In fact, achieving a shabby-chic Scandi look is all about using second-hand or upcycled items wherever possible. Wooden crates make excellent coffee tables, sand down and repaint any old garden furniture, and look for second-hand decorative items such as lanterns or rugs. You could make your own bunting and soft furnishings (such as cushions and throws) and design your own artwork if you’re a keen crafter.

Lighting

Soft lighting is a key principle of Scandi design; it’s all about creating the right ambience and being enveloped in a soft glow, rather than using harsh or bright lights. Strings of fairy or festoon lights, draped artfully, provide a subtle yet stylish back drop. Add candles to the table and choose an array of candle sizes and styles, avoiding anything too matchy-matchy. You can also get outdoor solar-powered fairy lights, which come on automatically when it gets dark and will glow for several hours.

Design touches

In Scandi design there is a strong relationship between design elements and nature, driven by the many Nordic forests and abundance of green spaces. All materials used in your Scandi retreat should include

elements of the natural world throughout, such as wood, woven/ jute rugs, rattan and wicker furniture, faux-fur throws, cotton, stone, leather and linen. Keep colours muted and neutral, such as whites, greys and beiges, as these won’t overpower the final look. You can add accents of colour in soft furnishings and artwork as a subtle hint.

Update a balcony

Adding fairy lights, a small table and chairs, candles and bunting will make your balcony the envy of your neighbours. Pot plants can give an inexpensive yet instant uplift and make you feel more immersed in nature. Stick with hardy, easy-to care-varieties, such as ivy, cactus, ferns and succulents. Get creative with how you style your plants; an old step ladder can provide great shelving to display plants in a stylish way, for example. You can also grow culinary herbs (rosemary, mint and sage) on a sunny balcony in zinc pots, which look decorative and are useful for cooking.

DECKING FOR THE NEXT DECADE

Offering resistance to the ’four S’s: Slip, Stain, Scratch and Sun, UPM ProFi - which is distributed exclusively in the UK by James Latham - boasts a long list of outstanding performance properties including: minimum maintenance; superior stain resistance; extra-high impact strength and a high friction surface.

Designed and manufactured in Finland, Germany and the United States and carrying a 10-year guarantee, UPM ProFi has become a popular choice with landscaping professionals as it is perfectly suited to high traffic areas, where it will continue to perform to optimum levels while looking fresh, smart and clean for years to come.

And with two stunning new design styles in the range for 2020, James Latham is predicting that this rise in popularity will continue to grow.

UPM ProFi Vision

A uniquely elegant decking, UPM ProFi Vision offers numerous features and benefits including; an exceptional ‘luxury’ surface texture; class leading fade stain and scratch resistance, plus an ultra-durable core of heat treated Oak fibres, fully encapsulated with polyethylene. This allows not only ‘on the ground’ and ‘in the ground’, but even under water installation.

Made from 95% recycled materials, it is available in three stunning colours, Sandstone, Smokey Grey and Spanish Leather.

UPM ProFi Piazza

An affordable, high-performance decking, UPM ProFi Piazza prides itself on a modern hardwood look that is remarkably resistant to stains. Again, produced from 95% recycled materials, it boasts ultralow maintenance properties as well as excellent colour durability and fade resistance and is available in three rich colour shades, Brazilian Walnut, Streaked Ebony and Silver Ash.

Richard Mosson, James Latham’s Group Cladding and Decking Manager commented, “This is a true premium quality product and one that ticks all the boxes for us. As well as its impressive environmental credentials, it offers choice in style, consistency in performance and clean, cutting-edge design. “With 10 years of continued investment and R&D, the quality of the UPM ProFi deck range is exceptional. Long-life and ultralow maintenance have been engineered into it and due to the innovative use of recycled materials it has won several international awards, with the product making a major contribution to reducing traditional landfill and incineration, something that is really important to James Latham and to many of our customers.”

With 12 branches throughout the UK and Ireland, and specification showrooms in London and Manchester where the product can be seen, James Latham’s inspiring range of UPM ProFi decking is available directly from stock.

To order free samples or discuss your decking projects with one of Latham’s highly experienced and knowledgeable decking champions, contact details of your local depot and the showrooms can be found at: www.lathamtimber.co.uk

This article is from: